Science: Plant Needs: Sunlight, Water, and Soil
Learn how sunlight, water, and soil help plants grow
Science: Plant Needs: Sunlight, Water, and Soil
Learn how sunlight, water, and soil help plants grow
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
Name three things most plants need to grow well.
Think about what you would give a plant in a pot.
Most plants need sunlight, water, and soil to grow well. They also need air and space. - 2
A plant is placed in a dark closet for one week. What might happen to the plant, and why?
The plant might become weak, pale, or stop growing because it is not getting sunlight. Plants need sunlight to make food. - 3
Circle the best place for a plant to grow: on a sunny windowsill, inside a closed box, or under a bed. Explain your choice.
Choose the place with the most light.
A sunny windowsill is the best place because the plant can get sunlight. Sunlight helps the plant make food and stay healthy. - 4
Why do plants need water?
Plants need water to stay healthy and move nutrients through their stems and leaves. Without enough water, plants can wilt. - 5
Mia waters her plant every day until the soil is very soggy. The leaves start turning yellow. What should Mia do?
Plants need water, but they do not need to sit in water all the time.
Mia should water the plant less and let the soil dry a little between waterings. Too much water can hurt a plant. - 6
Look at a plant with drooping leaves and dry, cracked soil. What does the plant probably need?
The plant probably needs water. Dry soil and drooping leaves can be signs that a plant is thirsty. - 7
What job does soil do for many plants?
Think about where the roots grow.
Soil helps hold the plant in place and gives the plant nutrients. Soil also holds some water for the roots. - 8
A seed is planted in plain sand, and another seed is planted in rich garden soil. Which seed will probably grow better? Explain why.
The seed in rich garden soil will probably grow better because soil has nutrients and can hold water. Plain sand has fewer nutrients. - 9
Draw or describe what healthy plant roots do in the soil.
Roots are usually underground.
Healthy roots grow through the soil and take in water and nutrients. Roots also help hold the plant upright. - 10
True or false: A plant can make its own food using sunlight. Explain your answer.
True. A plant uses sunlight to help make its own food in its leaves. - 11
Sam puts one plant near a window and one plant far from the window. Both plants get the same amount of water. Which plant will likely grow stronger?
Only the amount of light is different in this test.
The plant near the window will likely grow stronger because it gets more sunlight. Sunlight is important for plant growth. - 12
A plant has sunlight and soil, but no water for many days. What will likely happen?
The plant will likely wilt and may die because it does not have enough water. Plants need water to stay alive. - 13
Put these plant care steps in a good order: add soil to a pot, plant the seed, water the seed, place the pot in sunlight.
Start by preparing the pot before you add the seed.
A good order is to add soil to a pot, plant the seed, water the seed, and place the pot in sunlight. - 14
A class grows bean plants. Plant A gets sunlight and water. Plant B gets water but no sunlight. What is the main thing being tested?
The class is testing how sunlight affects plant growth. The plants both get water, but only one gets sunlight. - 15
Write one sentence that tells how to take care of a classroom plant.
Include sunlight, water, or soil in your sentence.
A good answer is: I can take care of a classroom plant by giving it enough water, keeping it in sunlight, and making sure it has healthy soil.